Cartridge



CARTRIDGE Sept. 7, 1965 F'iied June 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 K H 6 F. Y5 0 m N R 4 4 5 2 4 2 M m w 4 k H a M Ma y a m a? y F. H W Di f v 5 1 laa m V w G m z v i M n M U I W 5 m W7 h 6 I 7U p Q 3 3,204,853 CARTRIDGEI Earl K. Hoyne, Fridley, and Willia W. Petryk, White Bear Township,Ramsey County, Minn., assignors .to

Minnesota 'Mining and Manufacturing Company, St.

Paul, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 24, 1963, Ser. No.289,907 7 Claims. Cl. 229-'-23) invention is advantageous in that itpermits the sheet material to be supplied to the photographic machinewithout removing the sheet material from the cartridge. This permits theloading ofa photographic machine with a supply of light-sensitivematerial in a lighted area. It eliminates the possibilty of exposure ofsome of the material to stray light and physical damage to saidmaterial, as is the case when it is necessary to remove the materialfrom the cartridge and place the same in a machine when the machine isin a dark room.

This invention is also advantageous in that it provides a cartridgewhich is moisture and light tight before it is opened for use in aphotographic machine.

These and other advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent as the following description proceeds and the accompanyingdrawings are referred to, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of a novel carton blank used in making a boxbody;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a blank forming a cartridge insert;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of a support member adapted to be placed in thenovel cartridge;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the carton blank used in forming the coverfor the novel cartridge;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the novel cartridge constructed inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGURE 6 is a longitudinal sectional view taken generally along line 6-6of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a transverse sectional view taken generally along line 7-7of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged schematic cross-section representative of thewall construction of the cartridge.

The illustrated cartridge represents a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention and is particularly adapted foruse with cards of thetype commonly employed in tabulating and sorting systems which have anaperture formed therein and have a film section of light-sensitivematerial mounted in said aperture. The cartridge has a box body providedwith an opening in each end wall and with openings in the top walladjacent and in communication with the openings in the end walls. Thetop openings permit driven rollers to engage the outermost card anddrive the same longitudinally out one end or 'the other of the body. Thedrive rollers form part of a feeding means for withdrawing cards singlyfrom said body and feeding them into a photographic machine. The feedingmeans may have card guide plates associated with the feed rollers or itmay not, but the illustrated cartridge is adapted for use with eithertype.

The cartridge comprises a box body 10, a cover 11, a card retaininginsert 12 and a relatively rigid card support member 13.

The blank forming the box body, is illustrated in 2 FIGURE 1 andcomprises a bottom panel 14, allochiral.

side panels 15 and 16 with top flaps 17 and 18 joined. thereto and endpanels 19 and 20. The side panels 15 and 16 are each notched in theouter left corner as shown at 21 and are connected to the bottom panel14 along fold lines 22. The end panels 19 and are connected to ends ofthe bottom panel 14 along fold lines 23 and extend-outwardly therefrom.The top flaps 17 and 18 are shorter than the side panels 15 and 16 andare connected along fold lines 24 to the outer edges of said side panels15 and 16 as shown to leave an opening in the top of the box body 10 ateach end. In the illustrated form the openings are slightly different insize. The end panels 19 and 20 have an outward dimension less than thatof the side panels 15 and 16, but substantially equal to the distancefrom the fold lines 22 to the notches 21 in the corners of the sidepanels, thus defining openings in the ends of the assembled box body 10which join the openings in the top. The bottom panel is formed with alarge centrally disposed rectangular aperture 25 for purposes to behereinafter described.

The insert 12 is formed from a rectangular blank which is partially cutas at 26 and 27 and is perforated as at 28 and 29 to form separable endtabs 30 and 31. The

end tabs are formed with fold lines 32 and 33 so the tabs posed sidepanels 37 and 38. The end panels 35 and 36 and the side panels 37 and 38are joined to the top panel 34 along fold lines 39 and 40 respectively.This blank may be folded to form a telescoping cover 11 having a slidingfit with the side panels 15 and 16 of the box body 10 and with the tabs30 and 31 of the insert 12.

The remaining structural element in the cartridge is the relativelyrigid support member 13 formed to fit in the cartridge, overlaying thebottom-panel 14 of the box body 10. This support member 13 is adapted toprovide sufficient stiffness for a stack of cards 42 so that as thenumber of cards in a stack is depleted the remaining cards on thesupport member will maintain a flat orientation as they are forcedtoward the exit side of the cartridge. The rigid support member 13 isformed with notches adjacent the corners as shown at 41. These notches41 are formed in this support member 13 to permit a feeler mechanismassociated with the feeding means of the photographic machine to passbelow the surface of the support member 13, thus signaling that thesupply of cards is depleted.

Referring now to FIGURES 5, 6 and 7, there is illustrated a cartridgeafter the same has been assembled and-a stack of cards 42 has beenplaced in the cartridge.

As viewed in FIGURE 6, the cards 42 are placed upon I the rigid supportmember 13. The insert 12 overlays the top of the stack of cards 42 andcovers the film section in the cards positioned adjacent the right endof the cartridge as viewed in FIGURE 6. The end tabs 30 and 31 arefolded over the ends of the stack of cards to retain them in thecartridge and lap the'end panels 19 and 20 of the box body 10 closingthe openings formed in the ends of said box body. The top flaps 17 and18 are folded toward each other to meet along the center line and form alid partially covering the box body. The flaps 17 and 18 overlay theinsert 12 and partially cover the end tabs 30 and 31 adjacent the cuts26 and 27 therein. It is preferred to'have a strip of tape (not shown)overlay the top flaps 17 and 18 along the juncture thereof to securesaid top flaps and hold the box body closed. The cover 11 is telescopedover the .top ofthe box body 10 and encloses the insert 12 and theopenings in the box body. A strip of pliable, opaque and moisture prooftape 43, see FIGURE 5, is placed about the cartridge joining the cover11 to the box body the juncture of the end panels and side panels ofeach member are held by corner stays of gummed paper (not shown) in amanner well known in the industry.

After assembly of the box body 10, the bottom panel 14, side panels 15and 16, and end panels 19 and 20 are overwrapped with a laminate ofpaper and aluminum foil The cover 11 is also overwrapped with thelaminate of paper and aluminum foil which gives a protective light andvapor barrier to the cartridge. The'interior surface of the box boardused in forming the blanks for the box body 10, the insert 12 and thecover 11, is colored to cut down any reflection of light on the insideof the cartridge. 1

FIGURE 8 illustrates a representative cross-section through the wall ofthe cartridge. On the very exterior 'a lacquer coating 44 is applied toa thin sheet of aluminum foil 45 which forms part of the laminate. Thefoil 45 is bonded to a reinforcing paperlayer 47 by an adhesive coating46. The laminate of foil and paper is adhered to the box board 49forming the cartridge by another layer of adhesive .48. The box board 49forming the cartridge is provided over the interior surface with a blacklight-absorptive or. non-reflective surface 50.

The foil and paper laminate covers the enlarged aperture and the bottompanel 14 of the box body. This foil laminate thus forms an opcnablebottomfor the cartridge which may be pierced or cut prior to insertionin the photographic machine.

When the cartridge is ready for use in the machine the outer tape 43encircling the cartridge is removed and the cover is taken off ofthe'box body 10. One end I tab or 31 may then be torn from the insert12. If tab 30 is removed the end of the body 10 with the notches 21 isadapted for use wtih a feeding means having guide plates fitting aboutthe sides of the stack of cards. The openable bottom is cut around theedges of the aperturc 25 permitting the insertion of a platform throughthe aperture into engagement with the laminate and the rigid supportingmember 13. This platform is part of the feeding means external to thecartridge and forces the cards upwardly-toward the exit side of the boxbody against suitable stop means, in this instance the under surface of,the insert 12 and the driving rollers of the feeding means. The platformthus maintains the cards in a position adjacent the opening formed inthe box body permitting longitudinal withdrawal of the cards throughsaid opening. This structure thus provides a container from which thecards may be readily dispensed without prior removal from the cartridgebefore insertion into a machine. The cartridge box body is so formedthat the feeding means fits therearound and the platform portion of saidfeeding means moves through said body as the cards are singly dispensedtherefrom.

When the stack of cards varies in height, as may be the case with cardsformed from the usual card stock in quantities of, for example 500,dunnage may be placed in the bottom of the cartridge below the supportmember 13 to maintain each cartridge fully packed.

Having thus disclosed and described a preferred embodiment of acartridge and blank formed in accordance,

with the present invention, what is claimed as-the in- .vention is:

' l. A blank for use in manufacturing the box body fora cartridgeadapted to supply a stack of sheet material bearing a light sensitivefilm portion to a photographic a cartridge, said body having at leastone opening formed in the upper edge thereof and a bottom aperture, saidblank being formed of a sheet of material to provide a bottom panelhaving a centrally disposed aperture formed therein and opposed side andend panels connected to said bottom panel along foldlines, at least oneof said end panels having a dimension from the fold line to the outeredge which is less than the corresponding dimension for said side panelsto define an opening in one end of said body, and top flaps connected tosaid side panels along fold lines to partially form a lid, said topflaps having a length along said last mentioned fold lines less thanthat of said side panels and arranged on said side panels in alignedsymmetrical relation to define at least one opening in the top of saidbody adjacent the opening in said one end when the body is assembled.

3. A blank for use in manufacturing a box-like cartridge having at leastone opening in the top thereof and an opening at one end thereof, saidblank being formed of a sheet of material cut and scored to include abottom panel having a centrally located aperture, allochiral side panelsconnected to said bottom panel along fold lines and each having a notchformed in one outer corner thereof, opposed end panels connected to saidbottom panel along fold lines, said end panels having a dimension fromthe fold line to the outer edge thereof which is less than the dimensionfrom the fold line to the outer edge of said side panels, and said sidepanels having flaps joined thereto along fold lines to form a topfor thecartridge and having a length along said fold lines which is less thanthe length of the fold lines joining the side panels to the bottom panelaffording at least one opening in the top of said cartridge when thesame is assembled. I

4. A'cartridge for use in shipping and storing sheet material bearing alight-sensitive film portion and adapted to provide a container fromwhich said material may be withdrawn one sheet at a time, said cartridgecomprising a box body having a rectangular bottom wall and opposed sideand end walls connected to said bottom wall, a pair of top flapsconnected tosaid opposed side walls, and secured to form a top for saidbody, said top flaps being shorter than said side walls and arranged onsaid side walls defining at least one opening in the top of said body; arelatively rigid support plate disposed in said body adjacent the bottomwall; a card retaining insert positioned below and adjacent said top,said insert extending the cover having a sliding fit with said box bodyand said end tabs to enclose the top of said box body.

5. A cartridge for shipping and storing sheet material having alight-sensitive film portion, said cartridge comprising a rectangularbox body from which said sheet material may be withdrawn one. sheet at atime through an exit opening formed in one upper end portion, said boxbody comprising a bottom panel formed with a large centrally disposedrectangular aperture therein, opposed allochiral side panels connectedto said bottom panel along fold lines and said side panels each having atop flap, connected to the outer edge of said side panels along foldlines and joined to form a top for said body, said top flaps having adimension shorter than that of the outer edge of said side panels toprovide at least one opening in the top of said body, opposed end panelsconnected to said bottom panel along fold lines, at least one of saidend panels bottom aperture; an insert positioned below and adjacent thetop flaps of said box body and extending the length of said box body,said insert having depending end portions overlapping said opposed endpanels, at least one of said end portions being connected to said insertby a perforation to form a separable end tab; and'a telescoping coverhaving a sliding fit with said box body and said insert end portions toenclose the top of said box body; said cover and said box body being atleast partially covered by metal foil affording a generally moisture andlight-tight cartridge.

6. A cartridge for shipping and storing cards formed with an aperturehaving a section of light-sensitive film mounted in said aperture, saidcartridge having a box body openable when desired to format containerfrom which said cards may be singly fed into a photographic machine,said box body having a bottom wall, opposed side and end walls and a topwall, said bottom wall being formed with an aperture and having anexterior severable opaque covering over said aperture to provide for theinsertion of an external member into said body to force cards-withinsaid body toward said top wall, and said top wall and at least one ofsaid end walls being formed to 6 define an opening along the edgeadjoining said top wall and said at least one end wall, said opening insaid at least one end wall extending the width of the interior of saidbody to afford removal of cards from said body.

7. A cartridge for use in shipping and storing sheet material bearing alight-sensitive film portion and adapted to provide a container fromwhich said material may be withdrawn one sheet at a time, said cartridgecomprising a box body having a rectangular bottom wall formed with anaperture through which an external member may be introduced to engagesheet material in said cartridge, op.- posed end walls, opposed sidewalls, flap means connected to said side walls and folded for forming atop wall only partially enclosing said body and defining an openingadjacent one of said end walls, said one of said end walls having adimension less than the corresponding dimension of said side walls todefine an opening in the end of said body adjacent the top thereof,removable means for covering the openings in said top and end of saidbody, and an opaque severable covering on the bottom wall to cover theaperture formed therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,786,743 12/30Feybasch 229-6 FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Examiner.

1. A BLANK FOR USE IN MANUFACTURING THE BOX BODY FOR A CARTRIDGE ADAPTEDTO SUPPLY A STACK OF SHEET MATERIAL BEARING A LIGHT SENSITIVE FILMPORTION TO A PHOTOGRAPHIC APPARATUS, SAID BLANK COMPRISING A BOTTOMPANEL HAVING A CENTRALLY LOCATED APERTURE FORMED THEREIN THROUGH WHICH APRESSURE PAD MAY ENTER SAID BODY TO BIAS THE SHEET MATERIAL TOWARD THEEXIT SIDE OF SAID BODY, OPPOSED SIDE